Autos: Mercedes C220 AMG

Previous Jubilees Previous Jubilees

Looking back over what was going on in the world during the previous Queen’s jubilees.

For the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the planet feels as though it’s in a very uncertain place. Across Brexit, through Covid, and with the rumblings of confl ict going on in so many parts of the world, perhaps we need the pomp and pageantry of celebrations to distract us, if only for a few days, from the ills elsewhere.

That’s not to say other signifi cant anniversaries haven’t also come with a backdrop of challenges, though in looking back over previous jubilees, the Queen will at least refl ect on the thing she drives for and cherishes with every day of an impeccable reign – progress.

Leaving to one side the Diamond Jubilee, since it happened just a decade ago, we take a look at the three other signifi cant jubilees marking our current Monarch’s reign.

Silver Jubilee, 1977 The year 1977 saw the Ford Fiesta go on sale in the UK, and Concorde fl ights begin between London and New York. The Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, courted national headlines, while Amnesty International won the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize. Although supposed to open in

Elsewhere, the Jubilee Walkway around signifi cant parts of London and the Jubilee Gardens, which are positioned in front of the London Eye, were signifi cant additions to mark the occasion. seen three of seen three of her children’s her children’s marriages fail, marriages fail, while fi re swept while fi re swept through Windsor through Windsor Castle. Castle.

As a result, the Ruby Jubilee celebrations were perhaps more subdued than some of the others. A gala was held at the Royal Opera House; The Great Event at Earl’s Court brought back notions of Victorian opulence, while a jubilee lunch was held at Guildhall. However, in the immediate post-Diana era, and with a backdrop of public outcry over royals spending, and within that, the Queen agreeing to pay income tax, it was considered most appropriate to tone down celebrations. As a result, the Ruby Jubilee celebrations were perhaps more subdued than some of the others. A

Fleetwood Mac released their Grammy-winning album, Rumours, while a new underground line edged towards completion in the capital – the Jubilee Line! The line is arguably the most regular reminder of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. It’s no coincidence that it’s marked as silver on the map – it was originally going to be called the Fleet Line.

Although supposed to open in 1977, digging work meant the deadline slipped by a couple of years, but it remains perhaps the most regular reminder of the 1977 Silver Jubilee, certainly to London’s commuters.

Ruby Jubilee, 1992 The Queen’s Ruby Jubilee came in the same year as what she famously termed her ‘annus horribilis’ (a Latin phrase meaning ‘horrible year’). The preceding months had On a wider scale, the year saw Yugoslavia break up, as did Czechoslovakia, while George Bush and Boris Yeltsin proclaimed a formal end to the Cold War; albeit attention was rapidly switching to the

escalating Gulf War situation. escalating Gulf War situation. Golden Jubilee, 2002 Golden Jubilee, The Hungerford 2002 Footbridges, The Hungerford across the Footbridges, Thames between across the Charing Cross Thames between and South Bank, Charing Cross are the main and South Bank, tribute to the are the main Queen’s Golden tribute to the Jubilee in 2002. Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. Now a selfi e hotspot, the span was fi rst explored by Isambard Kingdom Brunel back Now a selfi e hotspot, the span was fi rst in 1845, though various bridges followed. explored by Isambard Kingdom Brunel back in 1845, though various bridges followed. There is also a Diamond Jubilee Window adorning Southwark Cathedral, and There is also a Diamond Jubilee Window of course the huge new leisure and adorning Southwark Cathedral, and competition development over in Stratford of course the huge new leisure and was to be giving jubilee billing in being competition development over in Stratford named the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. was to be giving jubilee billing in being named the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Globally, US weapons inspectors returned to Iraq Globally, US weapons and within a year a second inspectors returned to Iraq catastrophic war was to and within a year a second hit the gulf state. catastrophic war was to hit the gulf state. The UK economy stalled in 2002 after 18 years of The UK economy stalled consistent growth, though in 2002 after 18 years of the year did at least bring consistent growth, though an end to the year did at least bring Foot & Mouth, an end to which had Foot & Mouth, ravaged UK which had farming for ravaged UK the previous farming for 11 months. the previous 11 months.

The UK economy stalled in 2002 after 18 years of consistent growth, though the year did at least bring which had farming for the previous 2-1 to Brazil in their World Cup quarterRonaldinho’s

In sport, England lost In sport, 2-1 to Brazil England lost in their World in their World 2-1 to Brazil Cup quarterin their World fi nal thanks to fi nal thanks to Cup quarterRonaldinho’s Ronaldinho’s fi nal thanks to freak goal. freak goal. Ronaldinho’s freak goal.

The Queen in her own words

Quiet, impeccably mannered, but always addressing with poise and precision, what Queen Elizabeth II says is always worth hearing. The Queen and Diana “No one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.

“She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness. I admired and respected her - for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys.”

Serving her country “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

Struggles “I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about fi nding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.” have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.”

Contrition “To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefi t of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”

Struggles success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about fi nding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their their inspiration to work together.”